UST's Nilo Ledama in action against UE in the semifinals of the UAAP Season 87 men's tennis tournament, April 5, 2025, at the Felicisimo Ampon Tennis Center in Manila. UAAP Media

MANILA -- Defending champion University of Santo Tomas is headed to the finals of the UAAP men's tennis tournament for the third season in a row.

While they were armed with a twice-to-beat advantage, the Male Tennisters needed just one win to eliminate the University of the East Red Warriors, 4-1, in their UAAP Season 87 tie on Saturday at the Felicisimo Ampon Tennis Center in Manila.

The result kept UST on track for a third straight championship.

"We're happy kasi bumalik ulit kami sa finals. 'Yung kay Nilo [Ledama] [umabot ng] third set so at least nakuha namin. And then 'yung first doubles, we're happy kasi nakuha rin namin," said UST head coach Alexander Diego.

"Kilala rin naman namin 'yung players nila [UP and NU], so titingnan namin kung sino 'yung makakalaban namin diyan and then… we will check the lineup. And then usually 'yung sa conditioning nila so ime-maintain pa rin namin," he added, with UST's opponent in the title match still to be determined.

Richard Bautista and Nash Agustines led the Male Tennisters to the championship round, dominating Red Warriors Mark Dave Palanas and RJ Baje in the first doubles match, 6-0, 6-2.

Ericjay Tangub set the tone early, dispatching UE's Gerald Gemida in the third singles match, 6-1, 6-4, to give UST its first point.

JB Aguilar, however, battled back for UE, securing a 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 victory over Sebastian Santos in the first singles match to claim UE's first point.

UST doubled its lead when reigning MVP Nilo Ledama held firm to defeat Marc Nicole Suson, 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, in the second singles match.

Steven Sonsona and Symon Jaculan sealed UST's win as they took the second doubles match after Kent Morales and Kiz Bryan Cinco retired with the score at 6-1, 0-2.

Meanwhile, the University of the Philippines kept its championship hope alive by forcing a deciding match in their semifinal series against twice-to-beat National University via a 3-2 result in their own series.

UP's Andrei Jarata and Karl Miguel in action against NU in the semifinals of the UAAP Season 87 men's tennis tournament, April 5, 2025, at the Felicisimo Ampon Tennis Center in Manila. UAAP Media

"Very happy, overwhelmed if I may say. We fought to live another day. 'Yun masasabi ko sa laro ngayon. We were, I think, down after losing first singles. We were down 1-2 and then down both sets sa dalawang doubles, and we still found a way to win, so I'm very happy with that performance," said UP coach Jacob Lagman.

In a crucial second doubles match, Andrei Jarata and Karl Miguel stepped up for the Fighting Maroons, pulling off a 6(3)-7(7), 6-1, 10-4 victory over Aljon Talatayod and Gab Bandoquillo.

Miguel Iglupas gave UP its first point, defeating NU's Jules Lazaro in the first singles match, 6-4, 6-2.

Andrei Padao and EJ Tugade, however, responded with strong singles performances for NU. Padao outlasted UP's Loucas Fernandez in the third singles match, 6-0, 6-2, before Tugade took control of his match against Aslan Carbonilla, 6-4, 7(7)-6(3).

The tie was leveled at two apiece after Fighting Maroons Raymund Goco and Lance Fernandez triumphed over Angil Balaoing and Christian Padilla in the first doubles match, 2-6, 6-3, 10-8, forcing the decider.

The do-or-die match between UP and NU is scheduled for Sunday, April 6, at 7 a.m. at the same venue.